Clapboard or shingle vent



Oct. 17, 1961 M. PRAGER ETAL CLAPBOARD OR SHINGLE VENT Filed Feb. 23, 1960 [72 van tons:

r 69 M rfi PS n my wk A tiys.

@ JIWWM United States Patent The present invention relates generally to a ventilating device and is more particularly concerned with the provision of a specially designed device for insertion between the overlapping edges of clapboards, shingles or the like.

It is well known in the construction art that dry rotting of wooden shingles, as well as blistering and bubbling of the paint applied to such shingles, normally occurs where means are not provided for venting the space between such shingles. More specifically, where moisture accumulates from any one of a number of possible different sources between such shingles, it is essential that said moisture be able to quickly evaporate, or else the aforementioned undesirable results occur. a

It is further importantthat the means for venting saishingles be capable of being assembled after the work is completed and, further, that the venting means be capable of easy assembly to the completed structure without the necessity of utilizing specially provided tools or the like.

It is therefore a primary object of our invention to provide a ventilating device of the character described which may be easily and readily inserted between the overlapping edges of wooden shingles and the like after construction work is completed and without the necessity of utilizing any specially designed tools, and which while being inserted will in no way weaken the shingle members.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a ventilating device of the character described which is relatively easy to assemble and which has self-locking means for preventing inadvertent removal of same after its assembly.

A further object is the provision of a ventilating device of the character described which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture but which nevertheless is rugged and durable in use, and which when assembled is not visible so as to detract from the appearance of the building with which it is associated.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by us for carrying out our invention:

1 is a perspective detail of our ventilating device per se;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing our device assembled between overlapping shingles or clapboards; and

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown generally at '10 a ventilating device constructed in accordance with the instant invention. The device may be made of any structurally suitable material, although we prefer to use a metal, such as aluminum. If made of a metallic material, then the ventilator device is preferably formed from sheet stock and comprises a substantially flat, generally rectangular body portion 12 having longitudinal edges 14 and transverse edges 16.

Extending upwardly from the longitudinal edges 14 are a pair of spaced parallel side walls 18, each of which extends substantially the length of the body portion 12. As will be evident, each of the walls 18 is of wedge-shape configuration, or, expressed differently, each of said walls inclines gradually upwardly from the surface of body pertion 12 at one end thereof as at 20, said upward inclination extending for the length of the wall and terminating at the opposite end thereof.

Extending outwardly from each of the walls 18 a perpendicular flange 22, it being evident that said flanges 22 function to provide flat inclined surfaces, the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent. As will be clearly seen, the flanges 22 terminate'short of the upper end of the walls 18, and at each of said upper ends the upward inclination of the Wall is somewhat increased as at 24, the edge 24 cooperating with a cutback 26 to provide a sharp, acute angled corner 28, which corner functions as a locking tooth as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Below each locking tooth 28 and extending outwardly from each wall '18 in the plane thereof is a projection 30,

i the outer edge of which terminates in substantially the same plane as the adjacent edge 16 of body portion 12.

Since the projections 30 are in spaced relation above the adjacent end of the body portion, there is defined a pair of notches 32. v

A pair of openings 34 may be provided in body portion 12, the function of said openings primarily being to facilitate production manufacture of the devices 10. Said V plastic may be employed, in which event the device would preferably be molded.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly and operation of the device 10 will now be described. It will be understood that a plurality of ventilating devices 10 are used in any one building, said devices being inserted at predetermined spaced intervals. In assembly, the shallow end 20 of the ventilator is first inserted in the space 34 between overlapping shingles or clapboards 36 and 38. Due to the very shallow inclination of the walls 18, and the flat, inclined surfaces defined by perpendicular flanges 22, it is a simple matter to initiate the wedging of the device .10 between the shingles or clapboards. Once this initial wedging has been accomplished, and it is emphasized that in using the device 10 it is not necessary to employ any special tools for wedging apart the overlapping shingles, any handy flat-bladed tool may be inserted into the notches 32 to force the ventilator device inwardly. It will be obvious that the specially provided notches 32 greatly facilitate this operation since they provide a ready and accessible space for receiving the tools, and since it is dificult for the tool to inadvertently become disengaged while inward pressure is being applied thereto.

As the device 10 commences to wedge between the boards 36 and 38, it will be apparent that the flat surfaces 22 will facilitate the inward penetration of the device in that a smooth sliding action is imparted. At the same time, there will be no scoring of the clapboards or shingles, as would obviously occur if the flanges 22 were not provided, since the upper edges of the walls 18, without the flanges 22, would tend to bite into the relatively soft wood and impart scoring or grooves therein, which obviously would cause weakening of the structure. As the device 10 continues to penetrate between the overlapping boards, the relatively sharp angled tooth 28 will engage the adjacent board surface and will dig therein, as most clearly illustrated at 40 in FIG. 3. This will prevent the ventilating device from vibrating out from its assembled position, or from otherwise becoming inadvertently detached.

Thus, it will be seen that the relatively gradual inclina- Patented Oct. 17, 1961 tion of side walls 18, the provision of the flanges 22, the locking teeth 28, and the specially provided notches 32 all cooperate and function to accomplish the hereinbefore enumerated objects of this invention.

f'While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vent for insertion between overlapping edges of clapboards, shingles or the like, comprising a substantially fiat, rectangular body portion, a pair of spaced parallelwalls extending upwardly from opposite edges of said body portion, each of said walls extending substantially for the length of the edge from which it extends and having an upper edge which inclines gradually upwardly from the surface of said body portion, the uppermost end of each Wall being cut back to provide a sharp locking tooth, each of said walls having a projection extending in the plane thereof and located below said tooth, said projectionbeing spaced from theadjacent end of said body portion whereby to define therewith a notch for receiving a bladed tool.

flat body portion, a pair of spaced parallel wedge-shaped walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of said body portion, the upper edges of said walls having perpendicular flanges extending therefrom for at least a portion of the length thereof, whereby to provide inclined flat surfaces, and a projection extending from the front edge of each of said walls in the plane thereof, said projection being spaced from the adjacent endof said body portion whereby to define therewith a notch for receiving a bladed tool.

5. A vent for insertion between overlapping edges of clapboards, shingles or the like, comprising a substantially flat body portion, a pair of spaced parallel wedgeshaped walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of said body portion the upper edges of said walls having perpendicular flanges extending therefrom for at least a portion of the length thereof, whereby to provide inclined flat surfaces, the uppermost end of each said wall being cut back to provide a sharp locking tooth.

2. The vent of claim 1 further characterized in that a 6. A vent for insertion between overlapping edges of clapboards, shingles or the like, comprising a substantially flat body portion, a pair of spaced parallel Wedge-shaped walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of said body portion, the upper edges of said walls having perpendicular flanges extending therefrom for at least a portion of the length thereof, whereby to provide inclined fiat surfaces, each of said flanges terminating short of the upper end of said walls, said walls being cut back at their uppermost end to provide a sharp locking tooth, the upper edge of said locking tooth having a greater upward inclination than that of said flanges.

Taylor Nov. 21, 1950 .Tarvie Apr. 14, 1953 

